Mission Statement -
Paradise Irrigation District (PID)
is dedicated to the business of producing and delivering a safe, dependable
supply of quality water in an efficient, cost effective manner with service that
meets or exceeds the expectation of our customers.
adopted Feb 02,2005 by unanimous vote of the Board
of Directors
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Season to date rainfall is measured between
July 1, 2007 & June 30, 2008
Updated August 31, 2008
Paradise Reservoir -25.5'
Magalia Reservoir -31.60'
last updated:
10/09/2008
Paradise is located
in Climate Zone 7 - Hot summers and mild but pronounced winters give this area sharply
defined seasons without severe winter or uncomfortable humidity. The climate
pleases plants that require a marked seasonal pattern to do well - peony, iris, lilac, and
flowering cherry, for example. Deciduous fruit trees that require a marked seasonal
pattern do well also; the region is noted for its pears, apples, peaches, and cherries.
Look further for our water saving tips and some planting ideas for drought tolerant
plants.
Plant
Drought-Tolerant Many fine plants will thrive with
little or no water during the normal dry season once they are established in the garden.
View some ideas for planting drought-tolerant plants
below -
along with some interesting water saving tips.
Set lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass means less
evaporation.
While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a
watering can to use later on house plants or garden.
Fix leaking faucets and plumbing joints.
Reduce your outside watering hours.
Water the lawn in the early morning or evening when there is less
evaporation.
Do not allow water to run onto sidewalks, driveways or streets.
Do not water outside on windy days as there is a greater loss due to
evaporation.
Sweep driveways, patios and sidewalks instead of using the hose every
time you clean them.
Plant drought-resistant trees and plants.
On an average, it will take roughly a half gallon of water per square
foot of garden space, given slowly, to thoroughly moisten dry soil. A
10x10-foot garden requires about 50 gallons.
Regularly hoeing or cultivating prevents a crust from forming on top of
soil and allows the soil to soak up water more efficiently.
To use water efficiently, water at ground level rather than from above,
so the water goes directly to the root zone, where it is needed. Soaker
hoses and drip irrigation systems both deliver water directly to roots. If
you must water with a conventional hose or overhead sprinkler, do it in the
morning or late afternoon so
water evaporation is kept to a minimum.
Use "mulch" (chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel) to cover bare ground in
gardens and around trees to slow down evaporation.
Too much water is as bad for plants as too little. Roots can suffocate in
soggy soil for lack of oxygen and will eventually rot. When you water, water
deeply and thoroughly, but let the soil dry out somewhat between waterings.
It is better to give plants too little water (within reason) than too much.
If you are unfamiliar with a plant's water needs, examine its leaves. As
a rule, trees and shrubs whose leaves are small and either waxy or covered
with hair will tolerate drought. Many silver and gray-leaved plants also
like dry, sunny conditions.
To supply steady moisture to a few moisture-sensitive plants, make a
homemade drip irrigator from a plastic gallon milk jug. Punch a few small
holes in the bottom of the jug, and partially bury the jug in the garden
between sensitive plants. Fill the jug with water. The water will drip
slowly into the soil over several days. Refill the jug when it is empty.
Predicting rain - it is said, when there is a ring close around the moon,
rain is on the way but will not arrive for several days. when the ring
around the moon is farther out, expect rain soon.
Plants that predict rain-watching certain plants in the landscape can
tell you when rain is on the way. Field daisies, dandelions, and scarlet
pimpernels close up when rain is near, and milkweed closes at night before
bad weather. Lilacs, sugar maples, poplars, sycamores, and cottonwoods all
show the light-colored undersides of their leaves before rain.
Animals forecast rain - Animal behavior is another reliable indicator of
stormy weather on the way - watch for the following: Cows gather together in
the field and face in the same direction, with their tails to the wind.
Spiders spin short webs. Bees stay close to the hive. Birds stay in the
lower branches of trees, don't fly much, and stop singing. Fish stay closer
than usual to the water surface and can be seen splashing around. (Good time
to go fishing!)
Plant
Drought-Tolerant 
